Pira Lodge - Rio Corrientes, Northern Argentina
 The
dorado is one of the most exciting and fun fish to be caught on a
fly rod. My first time to experience this was ten years ago
exploring this part of Argentina for potential fishing operations
that offered dorado fishing. At that time accommodations were
limited for easy access to the rivers, and guides were even
scarcer. Now this dorado has become recognized by traveling
anglers as one of the greatest fighting freshwater fish in the
entire world. Articles are being written in American publications,
and the popularity of the dorado is just beginning to emerge.
Dorados are
exceptionally powerful swimmers. They typically range in size from
5 to 10 pounds, and 15 pounders plus are not uncommon. The dorado
has the hunting habits of a trout as they will hold in water with
structure such as sunken logs and undercut banks, and in the
confluence of currents formed by islands. They are voracious
eaters and they feed primarily on a mullet- like fish called
sabalo ranging from two inches to two pounds. They will happily
smack a fly and once hooked they become airborne with head shaking
jumps showing beautiful gold scales that glitter in the sun, thus
giving them their name. They will eat big streamers, and are known
to also take big surface flies like bombers and poppers when the
conditions are right. They are great acrobats and lots of fun to
fight, as they are full of surprises.
The wild golden Salminus Maxillosus, or freshwater “Dorado” as it
is known locally in Spanish are also know in Argentina as the
“River Tiger” because of their strong jaws and sharp teeth, and
for the challenging fight they put up once hooked. While the
dorado has long been admired in the southern portion of South
America, it is almost completely unknown in the rest of the
world. The largest species, Salminus maxillosus, is found mainly
in Argentina, Bolivia, Southern Brazil and Uruguay and Paraguay.
The scientific name is appropriate: Salminus, meaning salmon like,
and Maxillosus, describing the fish’s powerful jaws. Outside of
South America, the dorado suffers an identity crisis. While the
common name is similar, the dorado is a freshwater game fish and
not to be confused with the saltwater dolphin fish called dorado
in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Location
 Pira
(peer-a) Lodge is Argentina’s first truly upscale fishing lodge to
target the freshwater dorado, fly fishing's most exciting new game
fish. Located in Argentina's northern province of Corrientes, Pira
enjoys a tropical climate throughout its long eight-month fishing
season, which begins in September and runs through April. The
lodge is located in the Ibera Marshland, one of the most unique
and fascinating wetlands in the world. It is teeming with
wildlife, and the birdlife is incredible with a multitude of
species to view. This vast wetland occupies more than 3,000,000
acres and offers the world's only possibility for dorado fishing
in crystal-clear waters This reserve is larger then Yellowstone
National Park!!
Pira was co-founded
by the owners of the world-renowned sea-run brown trout lodge,
Kau-Tapen. Over the years, Kau-Tapen has proved itself to be one
of the world's top fishing lodges due to its excellence in
cuisine, service and quality of its fishery. Pira has been modeled
after Kau-Tapen, emphasizing these very same standards, and will
rank among the most select fishing lodges around the world.
Similarly, Pira has its sights set on a fishery that has enormous
potential, but has not yet been explored by the international
sportsman. At the turn of the millennium, when quality fishing
resources are hard enough to come by, it is tough to
imagine that a brand-new, virtually unexplored area with such a
fierce, yet undiscovered game fish could emerge with such promise
and potential.
The lodge consists of five large rooms, each with private bath,
two double-sized beds, air conditioning, and a gallery with a
marsh-front view. It can accommodate up to 10 anglers. A great
swimming pool also allows for bathing in this sunny climate. The
lodge was designed to respect the traditional, local architecture
while offering all the comforts of a contemporary hotel.
The Fishing
The
fishing from Pira is accessed by the use of Hells Bay flats skiffs
that allow your guide to pick you up at the private dock of the
lodge. A typical day is like most great fishing destinations in
Argentina with a morning departure, return for
 a
delicious lunch, a siesta, and
then back to fish for the evening with return to the comfort of
the lodge, and a fine dinner to end your day.
Fishing is done with 7, 8, or 9 weight rods. A rod of this size
makes casting the traditionally large Dorado flies easier, or for
turning a big fish out of a weed-bank. A quality reel is
important with a good drag. Dorado are know for their explosive
runs. Dorado are fished using floating and sinking line and very
large streamers that we can have custom tied for you in Buenos
Aires. An equipment list will be sent upon making a reservation.
Pira is strictly a catch and release fishery. Guides are equipped
with Boga grips and will assist guests in weighing and releasing
fish.
Other Activities, Scenery & Wildlife
Unlike many remote
fishing lodges, Pira offers much for the non-angler, including
hours of horseback riding along the edge of the marsh, where they
will see an endless variety of birds and wildlife in unspoiled
habitat. You will have occasion to see a variety of fish (and
catch) and also the most interesting denizen of the marshlands,
the capybara, the largest rodent in the world, a very fascinating
vegetarian that prefers to congregate in family groups.
This is not only a fishing trip, it is also a nature trip into an
area of particular beauty far from the rest of the world. The
marsh can be explored by canoe or sea-kayak, and sunbathing and
relaxing by the inviting pool is a perfect way to unwind and enjoy
the reliable, sunny weather. Temperatures will range from the 60’s
to 90° Fahrenheit. Whether you are an avid fisherman or a non-
angler it is also a great place to just relax in a hammock, and
enjoy this seldom-visited special location know as the
“Mesopotamia” region of Argentina.
How To Get There
Pira Lodge is located approximately 400 miles north of Buenos
Aires and can be reached by several means: overnight bus,
comfortable and inexpensive, charter flight or commercial flight
to Corrientes or Resistencia where guests will be personally met
by a lodge representative and transported to the lodge. The
commercial flight is approximately 1 1/2 hours from Buenos Aires
and the lodge is a 3 1/2-hour drive from the airport.
Rates
Per-person Fishing Package Rate:
7-night/7-day $4,550 based on double occupancy. 5-nights/5-days is $3,250. This rate includes
boat/guide with two anglers; deluxe lodge
accommodation (double occupancy); meals with wine, soft drinks at
the lodge. This rate does not include your airfare or ground transporation from airports, gratuities to
the guides, or laundry. Any time spent in Buenos Aires is on your
own and Guided Connections will be glad to help you out on
making those plans. Non-fishing rates are available. Pira offers
much for the non-angler, including hours of horseback riding along
the edge of the marsh, where they will see an endless variety of
bird and wildlife in unspoiled habitat. The marsh can be explored
by canoe or sea-kayak, and sunbathing and relaxing by the inviting
pool is also a perfect way to unwind and enjoy the reliable, sunny
weather.
Call us for more info: 307-734-2716
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